FAIRFIELD, Conn. – It's becoming a growing fraternity. The membership requirements are only that you are a Fairfield University graduate and that you play professional basketball. And, Maurice Barrow renewed his membership into the club by signing a one-year contract to play for DK Klosterneuburg, a top division team in Austria's professional basketball league.
Barrow has become well accustomed to the Austrian Basketball League, first signing with WBC Raiffeisen following his Stags basketball career. During the 2014-15 season, Barrow averaged 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 39 games. One year later, the forward played in the Australian Basketball League as a member of the Geraldton Buccaneers where he posted 23 points and nine rebounds per contest. He was selected as an ABL All-Star in 2015-16.
“The best part about playing overseas is being able to travel the world and see different cultures,” Barrow said. “It's an experience that I wish all Fairfield University students could have. And, I also love the fact that I'm traveling the world and doing what I love as a job.”
Barrow remains in contact with his Fairfield University teammates still today, keeping connected and following the careers of Rakim Sanders '12, Derek Needham '13, and Marcus Gilbert '16. Sanders and Needham will remain in Italy's Top Division this coming year, while Gilbert will play his first professional season as a member of FMC Ferentino, a team based just outside of Rome in the highly-competitive A2 Second Division.
“I've spoken to all of them,” Barrow said. “I'll ask them how they're doing and how their season is going. My best memory while playing alongside Derek and Rakim is the summer after my freshman year when our entire team traveled to Italy. It was a great group of guys who experienced another country together. When I speak with Marcus, I just try to shed some knowledge on him and help prepare him for his first year as a pro.”
The Queens native still points to his time at Fairfield University as a major reason that he is still playing today. A product of Christ the King High School, Barrow led all scorers in his senior season with Fairfield, netting 14 points per game. He led the team in scoring despite playing primarily as a reserve, enabling him to earn the 2014 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Sixth Man Award for the second straight season. He also collected All-MAAC honors as a senior. He finished his career with 1,309 points which placed among the top 15 scorers following his graduation. He also left with 709 rebounds in 137 career games.
“When (Head) Coach (Sydney) Johnson became the head coach at Fairfield, my game transitioned into more versatility because I had to have both inside and outside skills to play in his Princeton offense,” Barrow said. “My development had to happen because coming into college, I was a just a pure 6-5, low-post player.”
Johnson also knew Barrow had the talent to continue his career professionally based on what he saw during his years with the Stags.
“I couldn't be happier for Mo as he continues his career,” Johnson said. “He has attracted the attention of one of the top-flight clubs in Austria. As a staff, we're immensely proud of how well Mo's versatility flourished in our system. It's great to see him building on his time here and reaping the rewards of his tremendous work-ethic.”
That work ethic has served him well in the professional ranks and has opened up opportunities for Barrow. When given the chance, Barrow has performed beyond expectations.
“I remember one game that I had as pro when the team's other top scorer was hurt and didn't play,” Barrow said. “I scored my career high of 36 points and almost had a triple double in points, rebounds, and assists.”
It is that type of play that will keep Maurice Barrow in the ever-growing fraternity of Fairfield University basketball student-athletes who play professional basketball.
